Raising handlebars on a pointy 650s k4

I've had my s k4 for quite a while now and don't ride it much because I live in London and the riding position is killing me whenever I take it out round the big smoke. This and the fact that I now have a young one has meant the poor thing has sat idle for months on end. So the time has come to either sell her or raise the handle bars so I can ride her round town without needing to go to the chiropractors after.

I note that there have been a few members who've looked at doing this, one in particular in the states who's has kindly laid out the steps. I am planning the cheap and simple path to achieve the same but need some help to carry it out. (I say cheap because the aftermarket ones cost up to ?300!)

I'm in Battersea and don't have a suitable place to take it apart and leave it whilst sorting out the inevitable issues that will arise so if anyone out there who lives close by, has a garage that's secure and got lighting, and wants to have the same thing done to his/her bike but needs a holding hand/someone who's good with a spanner, please get in touch.

The parts I'm planning to use will be from the naked version, so there will be no issues about fitting. I know that some of the cables will need to be longer, again if this is the case then the naked equivalent cables should be a straight fit. The only issues I can foresee are if the looms to the switches need to be lengthened, this will likely need to come from eBay or if someone on the forum is planning the reverse then a swap would be the most logical.

I'm also planning to document the swap over and post it on the forum for others to use as a guide. I have a good digital SLR so the piccies will be decent.

Any help and advice would also be good, it will be nice to have the transformation go smoothly. Things like should I use the stock naked k4 bars or go for an aftermarket one like a Renthal?

I have had a look on fleaBay and there are no current ads for naked k4 top yokes so anyone who's got one of these for sale please PM me. (I will also post a Wanted thread for the things I will need.)

Greg

Hi there, I was thinking of doing the same conversion to my K3 S, how long have you had the bike? how many miles? I hadnt used mine a lot (less than 500 miles) and found it uncomfortable until I did 340 miles in 2 days and then 330 miles in one day later the same week and it was much better apart from getting a stiff & sunburnt neck!

Originally Posted by 650SFTT

Hi there, I was thinking of doing the same conversion to my K3 S, how long have you had the bike? how many miles? I hadnt used mine a lot (less than 500 miles) and found it uncomfortable until I did 340 miles in 2 days and then 330 miles in one day later the same week and it was much better apart from getting a stiff & sunburnt neck!

I've had mine since June 05 and in all I think I've done about 1200 miles in total. It gives me wrist and back ache and the seat is well uncomfortable. Thankfully the tank only lasts abut 120 to 140 miles so you have to get off and get a stretch! To be able to use mine more I need to be able to ride it round town, hence the conversion. If I had decent roads where I live I probably wouldn't bother (but then I wold need to fix the soggy front end).

Greg

Have you seen Cyphertheory has a K4 top yoke & risers for sale in the "For Sale" section?

[admin]

How about this.

Banditmania.co.uk £111.36 item number AC650RC

John

I used to get achey wrists and such; but more time in the saddle helped me adjust. Have you treid gripping the tank with your knees a bit more, in order to support you and therefore take the weight off your wrists a bit?

I was also considering raised handlebars, but I'm quite used to the SV now. TBH the pointy ones do feel a bit more cramped than my curvy sv

Matt

Originally Posted by alpinestarhero

I used to get achey wrists and such; but more time in the saddle helped me adjust. Have you treid gripping the tank with your knees a bit more, in order to support you and therefore take the weight off your wrists a bit?

I was also considering raised handlebars, but I'm quite used to the SV now. TBH the pointy ones do feel a bit more cramped than my curvy sv

Matt

I used to have a CBR600, which I would have thought was more sports focused. Never had a problem in the 30k miles I did on that. Maybe it's just old age.

Originally Posted by admin

How about this.

Banditmania.co.uk ?111.36 item number AC650RC

John

Cheers, John. That will be one option. I'm on a bit of tight budget so if all else fails.
Greg

Originally Posted by 650SFTT

Have you seen Cyphertheory has a K4 top yoke & risers for sale in the "For Sale" section?

Thanks, I have PM'd him.